Anti-microbial hand towel with time-delay chromatic transfer indicator and absorbency rate delay

Abstract

A disposable paper towel with an anti-microbial lotion and is provided with a chromatic transfer indicator which undergoes a delayed, visually perceptible color change at a predetermined time after the towel is wetted. An anti-microbial lotion on the towel increases water absorbency times (WAR) to further promote lotion transfer to the skin and increase lotion transfer effectiveness.

Claims

1. An anti-microbial paper towel with a chromatic transfer indicator comprising: a) a cellulosic web; b) a transferable lotion composition comprising an emollient and an anti-microbial agent, the lotion composition being immobilized on the cellulosic web in a semi-solid or solid form and selected and applied in amounts such that it imparts a water absorption rate delay of at least about 25% to the cellulosic web, wherein the transferable lotion composition is selected from lotion compositions which are transferable upon contact with water or lotion compositions which are transferable upon application of heat; c) a pH-sensitive transfer indicator disposed on the web at a plurality of discrete indicator locations; and d) a water soluble indicator triggering agent disposed on the web at a plurality of discrete triggering agent locations which are apart from the pH-sensitive transfer indicator locations, wherein the water soluble indicator triggering agent is a non-toxic organic acid, inorganic acid, or a buffer solution; wherein the pH-sensitive transfer indicator and indicator triggering agent are selected and applied to the web such that the pH-sensitive transfer indicator undergoes a visually perceivable color change upon contact of the towel with water after a characteristic time delay of at least about 5 seconds, wherein the initiation of said color change is determined by a wicking time of the indicator triggering agent.

2. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 1, wherein the pH-sensitive transfer indicator and the indicator triggering agent are selected such that the pH-sensitive transfer indicator undergoes a visually perceivable color change upon contact with water after a characteristic time delay of at least about 10 seconds.

3. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 1, wherein the pH-sensitive transfer indicator and the indicator triggering agent are selected such that the pH-sensitive transfer indicator undergoes a visually perceivable color change upon contact with water after a characteristic time delay of at least about 15 seconds.

4. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 1, wherein the pH-sensitive transfer indicator and the indicator triggering agent are selected such that the pH-sensitive transfer indicator undergoes a visually perceivable color change upon contact with water after a characteristic time delay of at least about 20 seconds.

5. An anti-microbial paper towel comprising: a) a cellulosic towel web; b) a lotion emulsion including an anti-microbial agent disposed on the web, the lotion emulsion including a polar emollient and a non-polar emollient as well as a surfactant composition comprising a nonionic surfactant, wherein the lotion emulsion is substantially liquid at room temperature, the emollients and surfactant composition are selected such that the lotion emulsion is immobilized on the web in a semi-solid or solid state and selected and applied in amounts such that it imparts a water absorption rate delay of at least about 25% to the cellulosic web, wherein further the lotion emulsion is capable of forming an aqueous gel upon contact with water; c) a pH-sensitive transfer indicator disposed on the web at a plurality of discrete indicator locations; and d) a water soluble indicator triggering agent disposed on the web at a plurality of discrete triggering agent locations which are apart from the pH-sensitive transfer indicator locations, wherein the water soluble indicator triggering agent is a non-toxic organic acid, inorganic acid, or a buffer solution; wherein the pH-sensitive transfer indicator undergoes a gradual color change upon contact of the cellulosic towel web with water to indicate effective transfer of the lotion, wherein the initiation of said color change is determined by a wicking time of the indicator triggering agent.

6. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 5, wherein the lotion emulsion comprises polar emollient in an amount of from about 2% to about 40% by weight of the lotion emulsion.

7. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 5, wherein the lotion emulsion comprises a polar polyhydroxy emollient selected from propylene glycol, glycol, glycerol, diethylene glycol, methylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and sorbitol.

8. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 7, wherein the polar emollient is propylene glycol.

9. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 5, wherein the lotion emulsion comprises non-polar emollient in the amount of from about 10% to about 40% by weight of the lotion emulsion.

10. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 5, wherein the lotion emulsion comprises a non-polar emollient selected from aromatic or linear esters, Guerbet ester, mineral oil, squalane, liquid paraffin, and mixtures thereof.

11. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 10, wherein the non-polar emollient is isopropyl myristate.

12. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 10, wherein the non-polar emollient is C.sub.12-C.sub.15 alkyl benzoate ester.

13. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 10, wherein the non-polar emollient is tri-octyldodecyl-citrate.

14. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 10, wherein the non-polar emollient is a mixture of C.sub.12-C.sub.15 alkyl benzoate ester and carnation oil.

15. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 5, wherein the surfactant composition comprises non-ionic surfactant including a fatty alcohol in the amount of from about 40% to about 70% by weight of the lotion emulsion.

16. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 5, wherein the surfactant composition comprises a non-ionic surfactant selected from PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate, PPG-20 methyl glucose ether, PPG-20 methyl glucose ether distearate, PEG-20 methyl glucose distearate, PEG-120 methyl glucose dioleate, ethoxylated methyl glucose having from about 10 to about 20 repeating ethoxy units, a mixture thereof and the like.

17. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 16, wherein the non-ionic surfactant comprises PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate.

18. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 17, wherein the non-ionic surfactant comprises PEG-20 methyl glucose distearate.

19. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 5, wherein the surfactant composition comprises a co-surfactant in the amount of from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of the lotion emulsion.

20. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 19, wherein the surfactant composition comprises a co-surfactant selected from C.sub.12-C.sub.18 fatty alcohols, behenyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, iso-cetyl alcohol, and iso-stearyl alcohol.

21. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 19, wherein the co-surfactant is myristyl alcohol.

22. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 19, wherein the co-surfactant is a mixture of cetyl alcohol (C.sub.16) and stearyl alcohol (C.sub.18).

23. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 5, wherein the lotion emulsion is substantially waterless.

24. An anti-microbial paper towel comprising: a) a cellulosic towel web; b) a transferable lotion composition disposed on the web comprising an emollient, an anti-microbial agent, and a retention/release agent such that the lotion has a H above about 37 C. of more than about 10 calories/gram, a total heat of melting of above about 25 calories/gram, and an onset of melting temperature of at least about 30 C., the transferable lotion applied in amounts such that it imparts a water absorption rate delay of at least about 25% to the cellulosic web; c) a pH-sensitive transfer indicator disposed on the web at a plurality of discrete indicator locations; and d) a water soluble indicator triggering agent disposed on the web at a plurality of discrete triggering agent locations apart from the pH-sensitive transfer indicator wherein the water soluble indicator triggering agent is a non-toxic organic acid, inorganic acid, or a buffer solution; wherein the pH-sensitive transfer indicator undergoes a gradual color change upon contact of the cellulosic towel web with water to indicate effective transfer of the lotion, wherein the initiation of said color change is determined by a wicking time of the indicator triggering agent.

25. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 24, wherein the lotion composition further comprises a surfactant composition in the amount of from about 10% to about 15% by weight of the lotion composition.

26. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 24, wherein the lotion composition further comprises a surfactant selected from methyl glucoside sesquistearate, ethoxylated methyl glucoside sesquistearate containing 20 moles of oxyethylene units, or combinations thereof.

27. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 25, wherein the surfactant comprises a mixture of PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate and methyl glucose sesquistearate.

28. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 24, wherein the lotion composition comprises an emollient in the amount of from about 5% to about 75% by weight of the lotion composition.

29. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 28, wherein the emollient comprises an aromatic ester emollient, a fatty alcohol ester of a non-fatty organic acid emollient, or mixtures thereof.

30. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 29, wherein the aromatic ester emollient is a benzoate ester emollient selected from C.sub.12-C.sub.15 alkyl benzoate, stearyl benzoate, octyl dodecyl benzoate, isostearyl benzoate, methyl gluceth-20 benzoate, stearyl ether benzoate, poloxamer 182 dibenzoate, poloxamer 105 benzoate, or mixtures thereof.

31. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 29, wherein the fatty alcohol ester of a non-fatty organic acid emollient comprises C.sub.12-C.sub.15 octanoate.

32. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 29, wherein the emollient is a mixture of C.sub.12-C.sub.15 alkyl benzoate.

33. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 24, wherein the lotion composition comprises a retention/release agent in the amount of from about 25% to about 95% by weight of the lotion composition.

34. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 24, wherein the retention/release agent comprises a C.sub.12-C.sub.18 fatty alcohol.

35. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 34, wherein the fatty alcohol is selected from dodecanol, tridecanol, tetradecanol, pentadecanol, hexadecanol, heptadecanol, octadecanol, or mixtures thereof.

36. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 34, wherein the fatty alcohol is a mixture of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol.

37. The anti-microbial paper towel according to claim 24, wherein the lotion composition is substantially waterless.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

(2) FIGS. 1 and 3 are photographs of an unused paper towel treated with a pH balancing agent (citric acid), and transfer indicator (thymol blue);

(3) FIGS. 2 and 4 are photographs of a paper towel treated with a pH balancing agent (citric acid), and transfer indicator (thymol blue) after it has been in contact with water;

(4) FIG. 5 is a partial phase diagram of the composition of Example 2 showing the phase characteristics of a waterless micro-emulsion; and

(5) FIG. 6 is a partial phase diagram of the composition of Example 2 with water showing the phase behavior of a mixture of the composition of Example 2 with water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The invention is described in detail below for purposes of illustration only. Modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention, set forth in the appended claims, will be readily apparent to one of skill in the art. As used herein, terminology and abbreviations have their ordinary meaning; for example, cps refers to centipoises; g refers to grams, mg refers to milligrams, m.sup.2 refers to square meters and so forth.

(7) Absorbency of the inventive product is measured with a simple absorbency tester. The simple absorbency tester is a particularly useful apparatus for measuring the hydrophilicity and absorbency properties of a sample of tissue, napkin, or towel. In this test a sample of tissue, napkin, or towel 2.0 inches in diameter is mounted between a top flat plastic cover and a bottom grooved sample plate. The tissue, napkin, or towel sample disc is held in place by a inch wide circumference flange area. The sample is not compressed by the holder. De-ionized water at 73 F. is introduced to the sample at the center of the bottom sample plate through a 1 mm. diameter conduit. This water is at a hydrostatic head of minus 5 mm. Flow is initiated by a pulse introduced at the start of the measurement by the instrument mechanism. Water is thus imbibed by the tissue, napkin, or towel sample from this central entrance point radially outward by capillary action. When the rate of water imbibation decreases below 0.005 gm water per 5 seconds, the test is terminated. The amount of water removed from the reservoir and absorbed by the sample is weighed and reported as grams of water per square meter of sample or grams of water per gram of sheet. In practice, an M/K Systems Inc. Gravimetric Absorbency Testing System is used. This is a commercial system obtainable from M/K Systems Inc., 12 Garden Street, Danvers, Mass., 01923. WAC or water absorbent capacity also referred to as SAT is actually determined by the instrument itself. WAC is defined as the point where the weight versus time graph has a zero slope, i.e., the sample has stopped absorbing. The termination criteria for a test are expressed in maximum change in water weight absorbed over a fixed time period. This is basically an estimate of zero slope on the weight versus time graph. The program uses a change of 0.005 g over a 5 second time interval as termination criteria; unless Slow SAT is specified in which case the cut off criteria is 1 mg in 20 seconds.

(8) Water absorbency rate or WAR, is measured in seconds and is the time it takes for a sample to absorb a 0.1 gram droplet of water disposed on its surface by way of an automated syringe. The test specimens are preferably conditioned at 23 C.1 C. (73.41.8 F.) at 50% relative humidity. For each sample, 4 33 inch test specimens are prepared. Each specimen is placed in a sample holder such that a high intensity lamp is directed toward the specimen. 0.1 ml of water is deposited on the specimen surface and a stop watch is started. When the water is absorbed, as indicated by lack of further reflection of light from the drop, the stopwatch is stopped and the time recorded to the nearest 0.1 seconds. The procedure is repeated for each specimen and the results averaged for the sample. WAR is measured in accordance with TAPPI method T-432 om-99.

(9) The water absorption rate delay in percent is calculated from the WAR values of the unlotioned cellulosic web and lotioned sheet product of the invention as follows:
Absorption rate delay=(WAR value of lotioned cellulosic sheetWAR value of unlotioned cellulosic web)(WAR value of unlotioned cellulosic web)100%

(10) Aqueous gel refers to viscous lotion/water compositions typically having a room temperature viscosity of above about 500 cps at room temperature and typically above about 1000 cps at room temperature. Preferred lotion compositions form gels of more than 1500 cps at room temperature as is seen in Table 2 below.

(11) Basis weight, BWT, bwt and so forth is expressed in grams per square meter or pounds per 3000 square foot ream of product as is indicated.

(12) The term cellulosic, cellulosic sheet and the like is meant to include any product incorporating papermaking fiber having cellulose as a major constituent. Papermaking fibers include virgin pulps or recycle (secondary) cellulosic fibers or fiber mixes comprising cellulosic fibers. Fibers suitable for making the webs of this invention include fibers such as those obtained from deciduous and coniferous trees, including softwood fibers, such as northern and southern softwood kraft fibers; hardwood fibers, such as eucalyptus, maple, birch, aspen, or the like as well as nonwood cellulosic fibers. Papermaking fibers can be liberated from their source material by any one of a number of chemical pulping processes familiar to one experienced in the art including sulfate, sulfite, polysulfide, soda pulping, etc. The pulp can be bleached if desired by chemical means including the use of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, oxygen, alkaline peroxide and so forth. The products of the present invention may comprise a blend of conventional fibers (whether derived from virgin pulp or recycle sources) and high coarseness lignin-rich tubular fibers, such as bleached chemical thermomechanical pulp (BCTMP). Furnishes and like terminology refers to aqueous compositions including papermaking fibers, optionally wet strength resins, debonders and the like for making paper products.

(13) Preferably, the fiber in the towel products of the invention consists predominantly (more than 50% by weight of fiber based on fiber content) of softwood (SW) fiber such as Douglas fir. Southern Softwood Kraft (SSWK) is also a preferred fiber. Softwood fibers provide strength to the product; Southern softwoods are generally preferred for towel of the invention; however thin and flexible Northern softwood may be used in some fiber mixtures.

(14) Percent means weight percent unless otherwise indicated and refers to weight percent without water unless the inclusion of the water weight is expressly indicated. Weight percent softwood fiber and like terminology or expressions refer to the weight percent of softwood fiber based on fiber content of a product or composition only, exclusive of other ingredients.

(15) Room temperature refers to a temperature of from about 20 C. to about 25 C.

(16) Characteristic time delay of the transfer signal of a towel product of the invention is determined by placing a sample of towel on the surface of a bath of deionized water (or any source sufficient to saturate the sample) and recording the time delay between placing the towel on the bath (t=0) and a visually observable color change (t=characteristic time delay). Time delay is expressed in seconds.

(17) Dry tensile strengths (MD and CD), stretch, ratios thereof, modulus, break modulus, stress and strain are measured with a standard Instron test device or other suitable elongation tensile tester which may be configured in various ways, typically using 3 or 1 inch wide strips of tissue or towel, conditioned in an atmosphere of 231 C. (73.41 F.) at 50% relative humidity for 2 hours. The tensile test is run at a crosshead speed of 2 in/min. Break modulus is expressed in grams/3 inches/% strain. % strain is dimensionless and need not be specified.

(18) Tensile ratios are simply ratios of the values determined by way of the foregoing methods. Unless otherwise specified, a tensile property is a dry sheet property.

(19) The wet tensile of the tissue of the present invention is measured using a three-inch wide strip of tissue that is folded into a loop, clamped in a special fixture termed a Finch Cup, then immersed in a water. The Finch Cup, which is available from the Thwing-Albert Instrument Company of Philadelphia, Pa., is mounted onto a tensile tester equipped with a 2.0 pound load cell with the flange of the Finch Cup clamped by the tester's lower jaw and the ends of tissue loop clamped into the upper jaw of the tensile tester. The sample is immersed in water that has been adjusted to a pH of 7.0+0.1 and the tensile is tested after a 5 second immersion time.

(20) Waterless, substantially waterless and like terminology refers to compositions which include generally less than about 10% by weight water. In cases where water is present at all, water is preferably not added as such, but is contained in other ingredients.

(21) In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the lotion composition is a cold, lotion such as the lotions described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,169,400 to Luu et al., incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Cold lotions refer to lotions that are substantially liquid at room temperature and can be applied as such to substrates. Due to the liquid state of the cold lotions at room temperature, they do not require heating or melting equipment and can be applied to the substrates by several available technologies such as spraying, printing, coating, extrusion or other techniques.

(22) The cold lotion used in the present invention contains a micro-emulsion composition containing predominantly an emollient composition and a surfactant composition. The small particle size of the micro-emulsion increases the surface area of its constituents so it contributes to the utility of the present composition in increasing the interaction between the emollient and the skin surface; a desirable property for restoring the oil layer of the skin. Preferably, the micro-emulsion composition contains an external continuous non-polar or polar emollient, an internal discontinuous polar or non-polar emollient, a surfactant and a mixture of fatty alcohol co-surfactants. The lotion composition may also contain optional ingredients, including typical cosmetic additives, preservatives, plant extracts, fragrances, and medicinal agents. Any suitable combination or proportion of ingredients which produces a micro-emulsion can be used.

(23) An important aspect of the cold lotion employed is when the liquid lotion contacts the fibers or non-woven substrate; it undergoes an in-situ phase change from liquid to immobilized semi-solid or solid form. This phase change of the lotion results when the substrate web surface fibers absorb the continuous outer phase of the micro-emulsion, which may be a non-polar or polar-emollient. Subsequently, the percent of the outer phase of the micro-emulsion within the composition is reduced, resulting in increase in the percent of the internal phase of the micro-emulsion and shuft of the original lotion composition from point A (liquid micro-emulsion) to points B or C (semi-solid state), which are located outside of the micro emulsion region (see FIG. 5). The immobilized antimicrobial lotion is restorable to transferable form upon contact with water and is capable of forming an aqueous gel. The compositions of the present invention are preferably chosen to lie within the micro-emulsion region of a given formulation. All percentages, ratios, and proportions of the ingredients within the compositions of the present invention are determined by the micro-emulsion region of a ternary phase diagram of the polar emollient/non-polar emollient/co-surfactant/non-ionic surfactant formulations (PE/NPE/COS/NIS). Outside of the micro-emulsion region on the low percent side of the polar or non-polar emollients, a semi-solid or solid region is preferably present. A micro-emulsion is thermodynamically stable and is essentially transparent in the visible region of the spectrum, which typically indicates that particle size diameter is preferably less than about 0.1 micron, or so. When the particle size diameter is greater than about 3,200 A (about 0.32 micron), the liquid is no longer considered a micro-emulsion but is an emulsion which can often appear turbid and be thermodynamically unstable. The micelle structure of a micro-emulsion is either a direct type (head out/tail in) or an inverse type (head in/tail out). The liquid micro-emulsion increases the surface area of the lipophilic constituent so it contributes significantly to the utility of the present composition in neat form. Fluidity on the skin surface, small particle size, high surface area and high hydrophilic character, are highly desirable properties for cleansing purposes either when the substrate is used by itself or when lotioned products are rewet with water. Any combination or proportion of these ingredients which produces a micro-emulsion can be used.

(24) A hot lotion composition used in connection with the present invention is chosen such that its H of above about 37 C. is above about 10 calories/gram, H of below about 37 C. is above about 15 calories/gram, H total (total energy to melt) of above about 37 C. is above about 25 calories/gram. Further, the retention/release agent is preferably selected to have a melting point substantially higher than about room temperature but lower than about 65 C., such that the lotion onset of melting temperature is within the range of from about 30 C. to about 45 C. This enables the lotion composition to maintain a substantially solid state at about room temperature and partially melted state at human skin temperature.

(25) It should be noted that for purposes of this description, the temperature of human skin is between about 30 C. to about 37 C. and room temperature is between about 20 C. to about 25 C.

(26) An important aspect of a hot lotion used is that it is partially melted by body heat to enable transfer to the skin of partially liquefied and partially solid emollient(s), particles of retention/release agent and other ingredients. The partial melting of the lotion is important, because when the lotion is completely melted to liquid by body heat it is perceived as too greasy, and when a lotion is not sufficiently melted by body heat, it would not spread easily on the skin. At least a portion of the partially melted lotion resolidifies on the skin to form a smooth and moisturizing layer. Further details as to suitable hot lotion compositions are found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,763, to Luu et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

(27) Optionally included in the anti-microbial lotions are suitable anti-viral agents including those effective against, or at least retardant toward Corona virus, Picorna virus, Rhino virus, Herpes simplex, Herpes genitalis, Herpes labialis, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Para influenza, Cytomegalovirus, Adenovirus, Condyloma and certain synergistic disease states that can involve a virus and a protozoa or a virus and any unfriendly enzymes, e.g., protease, lipase and amylase, that cause a compromised skin as a precursor state for a viral infection to occur. Specific anti-viral agents suitable for use in the lotions include bioflavonoids such as hesperitin, naringin, catechin and certain selected amino acids of leguminous origin such as L-canavanine and an analog of L-arginine; dicarboxylic acids such as malonic, glutaric, citric, succinic, and diglycolic acids; alpha hydroxy carboxylic acid such as D-galacturonic acid from Sterculia urens; neem seed oil (Azadirachta indica) in its un-denatured form; sandalwood oil (Santalum album L.) in its un-denatured form. Optionally, the anti-viral agent could be admixed with at most about 50% by weight of the anti-viral agent of a protease inhibitor such as zinc oxide or other suitable zinc salt.

(28) The cold or hot lotion composition can include other optional components typically present in lotions of this type. These optional components include a botanical extract, such as aloe extract, avocado oil, basil extract, sesame oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, chamomile extract, eucalyptus extract, peppermint extract, as well as animal oils such as emu oil, cod liver oil, orange roughy oil, mink oil, and the like.

(29) The lotion of the present invention can also optionally include a humectant. Humectants are hygroscopic materials with a two-fold moisturizing action including water retention and water absorption. Humectants prevent the loss of moisture from skin and help to attract moisture from the environment. Preferred humectants include glycerol, hydrolyzed silk, ammonium lactate, hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed silk, hydroxypropyl chitosan, hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed wheat protein, lactamidopropyltrimonium chloride, and ethyl ester of hydrolyzed silk. The botanical extract, animal oil or humectant is preferably present in an amount of less than about 3% when used in the base formulation of the lotion. Further optional components include a skin refreshing agent such as encapsulated water in oil, eucalyptus oil, and menthol oil. All of these optional materials are well known in the art as additives for such formulations and can be employed in appropriate amounts in the lotion compositions of the present invention by those skilled in the art.

(30) The lotion can optionally include a fragrance. The fragrance can be present in an amount of from 0.01% to about 2%. Suitable fragrance includes volatile aromatic esters, non-aromatic esters, aromatic aldehydes, non-aromatic aldehydes, aromatic alcohols, non-aromatic alcohols, heterocyclic aroma chemicals, and natural floral fragrances, such as blossom, carnation, gardenia, geranium, iris, hawthorne, hyacinth and jasmine.

(31) The lotion can also optionally include natural or synthetic powder like talc, mica, boron nitride, silicone, or mixtures thereof.

(32) The towel web of the present invention can be any suitable cellulosic substrate web, optionally wet-strengthened, and optionally including synthetic fibrous material such as melt-blown polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers of polyethylene. The substrate also may be embossed.

(33) Wet strength agents which may be added include temporary as well as permanent wet strength agents. Suitable wet strength agents include glyoxal; glutaraldehyde; uncharged chemical moieties selected from a group consisting of dialdehydes, aldehyde-containing polyols, uncharged aldehyde-containing polymers, and cyclic ureas and mixtures thereof, and aldehyde-containing cationic starch; mixtures of polyvinyl alcohol and salts of multivalent anions, such as boric acid or zirconium ammonium carbonates; glyoxalated polyacrylamide; polyamide-epichlorohydrin; polyamine-epichlorohydrin; urea-formaldehyde; melamine-formaldehyde; polyethyleneimine; and latex emulsions.

(34) The present invention includes a web of cellulosic fibers treated on at least one side thereof, preferably in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 25%, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 20%, by weight of the dried fiber web with an anti-microbial lotion.

(35) The cellulosic substrate can be prepared according to conventional processes (including TAD, CWP and variants thereof) known to those skilled in the art. In many cases, the fabric creping techniques revealed in the following co-pending applications will be especially suitable: United States Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0204966, to Chou et al.; United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0289133, to Yeh et al.; United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0289134, to Yeh et al.; United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0237154, to Edwards et al.; United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0279471, to Murray et al.; United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0241787 to Murray et al.; United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0217814, to Super et al.; United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0241786, to Edwards et al.; United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2004/0238135, to Edwards et al.; United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0264589 to Chou et al.; United States Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0224419, to Sumnicht et al.; and, United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0029235, to Edwards et al. The applications referred to immediately above are particularly relevant to the selection of machinery, materials, processing conditions and so forth as to fabric creped products of the present invention and the disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

(36) The methodology employed for fabric creped substrates includes: a) compactively dewatering a papermaking furnish to form a nascent web having an apparently random distribution of papermaking fiber; b) applying the dewatered web having the apparently random fiber distribution to a translating transfer surface moving at a first speed; and c) fabric-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30% to about 60%, the creping step occurring under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric wherein the fabric is traveling at a second speed slower than the speed of said transfer surface, the fabric pattern, nip parameters, velocity delta and web consistency being selected such that the web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping fabric to form a web with an optionally drawable reticulum having a plurality of interconnected regions of different local basis weights including at least (i) a plurality of fiber-enriched regions of high local basis weight, interconnected by way of (ii) a plurality of optionally elongated densified regions of compressed papermaking fibers, the densified regions having relatively low local basis weight and optionally being generally oriented along the machine direction (MD) of the sheet. In one embodiment, the elongated densified regions are further characterized by an MD/CD aspect ratio of at least 1.5.

(37) A preferred towel web is a fabric-creped towel web as is used in Example 18. Lotion can be applied to the substrate according to conventional application methods known to those skilled in the art.

Example 1

(38) Towels of the invention include a time-delay chromatic transfer indicator to help promote lotion transfer to the skin by encouraging prolonged contact with the skin. Typically, the towel includes a transfer indictor system with an invisible part and a visible part which may be applied to a towel with a multi-layer glue applicator utilized in connection with a 3 or 4 roll embossing station. The invisible part of the system (which may be incorporated in a lotion formula) is transferred to the towel, either on a separate sheet for 2-ply product or are side-by-side on the same sheet for a 1-ply product but the trigger, for example, of organic acid is kept separate from the transfer indicator, that is, the trigger is suitably disposed in a plurality of locations apart from a plurality of locations where the transfer indicator is located.

(39) The color of a visible part of the transfer indicator system should be red, purple, green or blue and contains a pH sensitive material. The pH of these colorants is either acidic (1-5) or basic (7.5-14) and they are either in aqueous solution with or without solvent or encapsulated. The colorants may be either food contact or non-food contact chemicals.

(40) When users of the towel dry their wetted hands, time for disappearance of the visible part of the upper indicator system can be an effective tool to communicate to them that the duration of hand rubbing was in a proper manner, about 15 seconds or more as is suitable for the lotion. This encouraged vigorous wiping action, which has been shown to remove further microorganisms and contamination after hand washing, and also to improve transferring lotion active agents to skin. Increasing or decreasing the wicking time and the chemical concentration of the invisible part, as well as from a specific graphic design of the visible part, can control the towel response.

(41) In the attached FIGS. 1 through 4, the system of thymol blue/citric acid is printed on a hand towel basesheet. The visible blue dots are thymol blue (pH=8 to 9.5), they are surrounded by the invisible dots of citric acid (pH=2). When the prototype is wetted with city water, the wetted part of the hand towel becomes colorless with or without wiping action.

(42) The enhanced towel of the invention is preferably dispensed in a touchless dispenser or as multifold towel in a hands-free dispenser.

(43) The chromatic transfer indicator is in many preferred cases a fading design or graphic which is provided by any suitable means such as pH sensitive inks, water soluble inks, colored particles, hydratable salts; or another colorant which fades substantially upon contact with tap water. It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the indicator systems preferably includes a visible part and an invisible part as follows:

(44) 1) Visible Part: The color of this part should be red, purple, green or blue and contains pH sensitive materials. The pH of these colorants is either acidic (1-5) or basic (7.5-14), and they are either in aqueous solution with or without solvent or encapsulated. Furthermore, these chemicals are either food on non-food contact materials. The colorant of the visible part is printed on the surface of the paper, plastic film, or non-woven substrate with a specific, selected design to demonstrate the benefit of the product. The selected design can be a word, sentence, graphic or special pattern, alone or in combination with an embossing design.

(45) 2) Invisible Part: The function of this part, when the product is wetted with water, is providing the necessary pH for changing the visible color to a colorless or a lighter color. The chemical of the invisible part might include non-toxic organic acid (i.e., citric acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, etc.), inorganic acid or a buffer solution, providing its pH is in the range of 5.5 to 7. The invisible material is usually colorless and water-soluble and printed on the surface of the substrate, either on a separate sheet or side by side on the same sheet but not in contact with the visible material.

(46) The desired time for disappearance of the visible part can be controlled by increasing or decreasing the wicking time of the invisible part by blending it with lotion, hydrophobic or hydrophilic surfactant, or water-soluble polymer such as PVOH, polyacrylic acid, starch, dextrin, hydroxypropyl cellulose, etc. Increasing or decreasing the chemical concentration or the distance between visible and invisible material in the pattern design is also a simple method in providing an appropriate disappearance time of the visible part of the disappearing graphic.

(47) The transfer indicator can be applied on a hand-washing towel, kid's towel, guest towel, etc., and it can also be applied as a Wetting Indicator (WI) for diapers. In the attached FIGS. 1 to 4, the Thymol blue/acid citric system is printed on a hand towel. The visible blue dots are thymol blue (pH=8-9.5); they are surrounded by invisible dots of citric acid (pH=2) of like size and frequency. When the prototype is rewetted with city water (FIGS. 2, 4), the wetting part of the hand towel becomes colorless with or without wiping action. FIGS. 1-4 show that the thymol blue-citric acid system as well as the pattern design are the key to contributing to the achievement of the desired wiping time for the use of transferring anti-microbial lotion, for example.

Examples 2-8

(48) Formulations of the waterless lotion were prepared in which, the components, their ratios and the conditions selected to provide micro-emulsion subject to in-situ phase change upon contact with a cellulosic substrate were varied as shown in the following Examples.

(49) In preparing each formulation the following, a general procedure was used. The polar phase propylene glycol was mixed with surfactant and co-surfactant in a heated container at about 60 C. to about 70 C. until the chemicals were completely melted. The non-polar oil phase was added to the mixture with moderate agitation for about 10 minutes, and then cooled to room temperature. At this point the lotion was in clear liquid form and ready to apply to the substrate. The micro-emulsion formed spontaneously without the need for a high shear mechanical device and is stable indefinitely.

(50) Examples 2 to 8 were prepared in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 7,169,400 to Luu et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. These lotion formulas were liquid at room temperature, transparent, very stable and accordingly the lotion ingredient ratios were inside the micro-emulsion region of phase diagrams such as FIG. 5 which is a partial phase diagram of the composition of Example 2. Surprisingly, the lotion of the present invention is characterized as having a good hand-feel perception and non-greasy hand-feel, which is thought to be due to the particle size of the micro-emulsion being too small to be detected in the oil phase by the fingertips.

(51) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex. 6 Ex. 7 Ex. 8 Ingredients (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Propylene glycol 35 35 5 15 15 30 35 Finsolv TN.sup.(1) 12.5 0 16 0 30 15 0 Carnation oil.sup.(2) 0 0 0 0 0 0 12.5 Isopropyl myristate 0 15 0 30 0 0 0 Lambert CE 2000.sup.(3) 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 Myristyl alcohol (C.sub.14) 12.5 15 0 0 0 0 12.5 Kalcol 1618.sup.(4) 0 0 7.5 0 5.5 5.5 0 Glucam P-20 0 0 67.5 0 49.5 49.5 0 Distearate.sup.(5) Glucamate SSE-20.sup.(6) 40 35 0 55 0 0 40 .sup.(1)Finsolv TN: C.sub.12-C.sub.15 alkyl benzoate ester from Finetex Inc. .sup.(2)Carnation: Mineral oil from Witco Corp. .sup.(3)Lambert CT 2000 - tri-octyldodecyl-citrate (Guerbet ester) from Lambert Technologies. .sup.(4)Kalcol 1618: Mixture 50/50 of cetyl alcohol (C16) and stearyl alcohol (C18) from Kao Corp. .sup.(5)Glucan P-20 Distearate: PEG-20 methyl glucose distearate from Amer-chol. .sup.(6)Glucamate SSE-20: PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate from Amer-chol.

Example 9

(52) The lotion prepared in Example 2 was applied to a tissue basesheet at a 5% add-on level, then converted to a two ply tissue product. The product was tested for the amount of lotion transferred to the skin. The results were compared with commercially available lotioned tissues by comparing the light reflection of cold lotion residual on glass relative to that from two other products. The scattering of light caused by lotion smeared onto the glass microscope slide was measured by using the UV/visible spectrophotometer in the wavelength region from 700 nm to 400 nm. Lotion was transferred to the slide by holding it between two layers of lotioned tissue for 30 seconds and then rubbing the tissue over the slide 20 times in 15 seconds. The lotion smeared glass slide was placed in the sample beam of a double beam UV/visible spectrometer to measure the light scattering. The results show that scattering of light caused by lotion smeared onto the slide rubbed with the tissue treated with the lotion in Example 1, looked identical to the control (untreated tissue). However, the two commercially available lotioned facial tissue products tested produced a significant amount of light scattering compared to the lotioned tissue of the present invention. In fact, the containers for these commercial products specifically state not recommended for cleaning eyeglasses. In addition, from the lab test result, the amount of lotion transferred by the lotioned substrate of the present invention to the skin was measured to be about 4.2 mg/cm.sup.2.

(53) The lotioned substrate product of the present invention was able to transfer lotion to the skin for enhancing skin care benefits, while also being able to wipe eyeglasses and still maintain clear vision. These properties of the present invention represent significant advantages over the lotioned facial tissues of the prior art.

(54) The waterless emulsion compositions of the present invention have numerous attributes which make them particularly suitable for paper towels. For one, the waterless micro-emulsions form low viscosity aqueous micro-emulsions with relatively small amounts of water such that an immobilized lotion on the substrate is restorable to readily transferable form when wetted or mixed with water. Thus, when contacted with wet hands of a paper towel user, for example, the lotion is readily transferred from the towel to the skin of a user.

(55) Another unique characteristic of the invention is that the lotion emulsions are capable of forming viscous gels with water as the amount of water mixed with the lotion is increased. Gels are generally more glutinous than liquids, thus being more desirable as hand lotions.

(56) Details as to these characteristics appear in Examples 10-17 below.

Examples 10-17

(57) The composition of Example 1 was mixed with water and tested for viscosity using a Brookfield Digital Viscometer at 73 F. Examples 10, 11, 12 and 17 were tested with a No. 2 spindle, while Examples, 13, 14, 15 and 16 were tested with a No. 5 spindle. Details as to composition and test conditions appear in Table 2 below.

(58) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Aqueous Phasing Properties Example # / Speed Viscosity Appearance and Description Spindle # (RPM) (cps) Properties 10/100% Lotion 2 50 182 Clear Liquid Example #1 11/95% Lotion 2 50 218 Clear Liquid Example #1 + 5% Water 12/90% Lotion 2 50 348 Clear Liquid Example #1 + 10% Water 13/85% Lotion 5 10 4,600 Viscous gel Example #1 + 15% Water 14/80% Lotion 5 10 22,000 Elastic gel Example #1 + 20% (2) Water 15/70% Lotion 5 10 13,000 Crystalline gel Example #1 + 30% (2&3) Water 16/50% Lotion 5 10 3,500 Viscous turbid Example #1 + 50% gel Water 17/20% Lotion 2 50 140 Turbid Example #1 + 80% emulsion Water

(59) It is seen in Table 2 that the water/emulsion mixtures remained a micro-emulsion up to a water concentration of between 10% and 15% by weight of the composition (Examples 10-13). At 15% water, the lotion emulsion turned into a viscous gel, which became even more viscous as additional water was added. At 20% water, the composition was an elastic gel having a viscosity of 22,000 cps, making viscosity measurement difficult. At 30% water (Example 15), the gel exhibited some opacity and appeared to have some crystalline structure appearing almost brittle. Due to the difficulty of viscosity measurement as well as the elastic and adhesive properties of the elastic gel of Example 14, the actual difference in viscosity between Examples 14, 15 may be less than indicated in Table 2.

(60) At 50% by weight water, viscosity fell off dramatically and the composition appeared to be a viscous, turbid gel which was somewhat translucent. While the viscosities of Examples 13 and 16 were similar, the composition of Example 15 exhibited considerably more turbidity. At 80% water, viscosity was low again; however, the composition was no longer clear and appeared to be an emulsion which was somewhat turbid.

(61) The phase behaviors of the mixtures of Table 2 are illustrated in the partial phase diagram of FIG. 6, where it is seen that Examples 10, 11 and 12 are within the micro-emulsion region of the phase diagram. Examples 13, 14, 15 and 16 are in semi solid form, while Example 17 is a two-phase liquid.

Example 18 and Comparative Example A

(62) Still further features of the invention which are highly desirable include WAR delay which promotes lotion transfer to the skin and anti-microbial action of paper towel. These features are appreciated from the discussion which follows.

(63) Towel basesheet was prepared using 100% Douglas Fir Kraft fiber by way of a fabric crepe/Yankee dry process of the class disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0289134, to Yeh et al., the relevant disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. To the basesheet, lotion was applied in 1 bands along the machine direction (alternating with 1 bands of unlotioned towel) using a Dynatec applicator of the class seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,904,298; 5,902,540; and 5,882,573, to Kwok et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The lotion formulation of Example 1 was used, containing additionally 2% by weight lotion triclosan anti-microbial compound, 2,4,4-trichloro-2-hydroxy diphenyl ether. Further details appear in Table 3 below.

(64) The towel was treated for anti-microbial properties by placing a wetted specimen disk of towel in a Petri dish on inoculated agar. The anti-microbial properties are termed negative if microbe contamination is observed on or at the towel after incubation and positive if a ring around the test specimen is observed, indicating that microbe growth was inhibited by the towel.

(65) Results of anti-microbial testing also appear in Table 3.

(66) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Anti-microbial and Towel Properties Example A Example 18 Properties No Lotion Lotioned Anti-microbial Properties: Staphylococcus aureus Negative Positive E. coli Negative Positive Salmonella sps Negative Positive Physical Properties: Add on rate (% of product weight) 0% 8 to 10% Basis Weight (lbs/rm) 22.2 23.5 Caliper (mils/8 sheets) 46.0 46.1 Dry MD Tensile (g/3) 6531.2 5528.9 Dry CD Tensile (g/3) 3912.0 3435.1 MD Stretch (%) 7.4 7.7 CD Stretch (%) 3.3 3.7 Wet MD Cured Tensile (g/3) 1976.1 2040.1 (Finch) Wet CD Cured Tensile (g/3) 1041.0 1122.1 (Finch) WAR (seconds) (TAPPI) 34.3 67.6 MacBeth 3100 Brightness (%) 77.5 75.5 UV Excluded Opacity (%) 60.2 56.6 SAT Capacity (g/m.sup.{circumflex over ()}2) 125.1 123.0 SAT Time (seconds) 643.7 823.6 GM Break Modulus 1025.2 829.0

(67) It is seen in Table 3 that the anti-microbial lotion was effective against staphylococcus aureous, E. coli and salmonella sps.

(68) It is also seen that, with the absorbent capacity (SAT) of the control and the lotioned towel remained substantially the same, WAR times, or absorption rates were considerably lengthened, perhaps due to gel blockage; consistent with the data in Table 2 above. Higher WAR values are generally not desired; however, the glutinous gel feel and initial wetness experienced by a towel user is a positive consequence, offsetting lower measured absorption rates and encouraging more wiping action so the anti-microbial lotion is more effective in preventing or ameliorating contamination. The apparent gel blockage also appeared to increase CD wet tensile, a common source of towel failure.

Examples 19-23

(69) The lotion compositions in the following examples comprise a base lotion with and without a pH balancing agent. Examples 19 and 20 are comparative and contain no pH balancing agent, and Examples 21-23 relate to lotion compositions combined with a pH balancing agent. Further detail is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,700, to Luu et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

(70) The lotions in Examples 21-23 were prepared according to the following procedure: the base lotion ingredients, i.e., emollient(s), release and retention agent and surfactants were mixed together and heated to 75 C. until the mixture was completely melted. Note lotion composition components in Table 7. The lotion composition mixture was maintained at 75 C. for about 15 minutes with moderate agitation. The pH balancing compound was then added, using high agitation, until the compound was completely melted and blended. The pH value for each lotion was determined by emulsifying 0.276 g of solid lotion (equivalent to the lotion amount contained in 5 sheets of 15% lotionized tissue) in 20 ml tap water (pH=8.65) at 23 C. The emulsion was shaken for 5 minutes before measuring pH using a standard calibrated pH meter.

(71) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 pH Balanced Lotions Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- ple 19 ple 20 ple 21 ple 22 ple 23 Chemicals (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Finsoly 30 35 35 30 30 TN-C12-C15 alkyl benzoate Crodacol CS 50 57 65 63 56 55 (Cetearyl alcohol) Clucate SS (methyl 3 0 0 3 3 glucose sesquistearate) Glucamate SSE-20 10 0 0 10 10 (PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate) Glycolic acid 0 0 2 1 0 Lactic acid 0 0 0 0 2 pH 7.8 7.2 4.6 4.9 5.3

(72) While the invention has been described in connection with numerous examples, modifications to those examples within the spirit and scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. In view of the foregoing discussion, relevant knowledge in the art and references including co-pending applications discussed above, the relevant disclosures of which are all incorporated herein by reference, and further description is deemed unnecessary.